Recently, the CaroMont Health Foundation and CaroMont Regional Medical
Center Auxiliary awarded $239,000 in scholarships to area students and
healthcare professionals. All recipients are pursuing a career in healthcare
or looking to advance their medical training.
The CaroMont Health Foundation awarded the $159,000 through seven funds:
Lee Bucci Professional Nursing Scholarship, Dr. Marty D’Amore Scholarship,
Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship, Mr. and Mrs. Joe R.
Hudson Nursing Scholarship, Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education
Fund Scholarship, Team CaroMont Scholarship and the Wayne F. Shovelin
Scholarship. These scholarships are made possible through contributions
from generous donors and CaroMont Health employees.
This year, applicants completed the evaluation and interview process during
the height of stay-at-home orders and the first waves of the COVID-19
pandemic, with many balancing roles in the healthcare field.
“This year’s scholarship recipients have faced unprecedented
challenges during this period of uncertainty,” said Shelley Collins,
Chair of the Scholarship Committee for the CaroMont Health Foundation.
“Perhaps more than ever, they represent an unwavering commitment
to what a career in healthcare means. Their desire to learn and advance
their knowledge is inspiring.”
The CaroMont Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, comprised of adult and
teen volunteers, awarded 30 scholarships worth $80,000. The Auxiliary,
which donates nearly 30,000 service hours annually at CaroMont Regional
Medical Center, raises funds through two gift shops and several fundraising programs.
“The CaroMont Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is dedicated to
the mission of supporting medical and health-related professions,”
said Sarah Waldrop, Chairperson of the Auxiliary Scholarship Committee.
“We are so proud to be able to provide this level of support to
these individuals who give their all for the health and safety of others.”
Lee Bucci Professional Nursing Scholarship
The Bucci Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 in honor of Lee Bucci,
retiring Director of Gaston Hospice. This scholarship is awarded to a
student seeking an accredited degree in the field of nursing (LPN, RN,
or BSN), with special consideration given to the field of palliative care.
The Lee Bucci Professional Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Susan Haney.
Dr. Marty D’Amore Scholarship
The Dr. Marty D’Amore Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 following
the death of Dr. D’Amore after a long battle with ALS (Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis). The fund was created and supported by donations from
physicians and the medical community. Awards from this scholarship are
given to students accepted or enrolled in an accredited Radiology Sciences program.
The Dr. Marty D’Amore Scholarship was awarded to Cameron Miller.
Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship
The Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship Fund was created
in 2018 in memory of Amanda Self to recognize her fifteen years of service
with CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Initial funds for this scholarship
were provided by her colleagues and friends in celebration of her enthusiasm
for education and support of her peers. Annual support is received from
colleagues and friends and employee giving through the Team CaroMont campaign.
Awards from this scholarship are given to students pursuing education
in emergency medicine.
The Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship is awarded to Megan Anderson.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hudson established the Hudson Scholarship in 1974 to
support students and help staff the new Gaston Memorial Hospital. Awards
from this scholarship program are given based on organizational needs,
scholastics and acceptance into nursing professions for area students.
Recipients must sign a promissory note that they intend to become or remain
an employee of CaroMont Health after completing their studies.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarships were awarded to: Casey
Almond, Ashley Ames, Melissa Bowen, Chasiti Brewer, Jordan Capps, Summer
Glisson, Janice Hill, Hallie Hunt, Karen Ingle, Dallas Johnson, Milika
Kasimi, Lori Kistler, Sarah Lail, Rikki Love, Karigan Marlow, Stacey Moore,
Andrea Moore, Charlene N'Diaye, Kate Routzsong, Elizabeth Tench, Keisa
West and Crissie Wilson
Team CaroMont Scholarship
The Team CaroMont Scholarship was established in 2015 and funded by employee
contributions to the Team CaroMont campaign. Team CaroMont Scholarships
were awarded to: Kristin Bradley, Amy Bryant, Rebecca Clopp, Luke Hartman,
Abbey Horne, Donald Howard, Cesar Perez, Jake Quinn, Rici Reid, Logan
Thomas and Morgan Yandel
The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship
The Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship is a permanent
endowment established in 2005. Awards from this scholarship are given
to students seeking an accredited degree in the field of nursing (LPN,
RN or BSN). Lonnie and Rachel Waggoner Nursing Education
Scholarships were awarded to: Karen Bolick, Tonya Lane, Kaley Mills, and
Cynthia Torres
Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship
The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship was established in 2009 by the Duke
Kimbrell Family in honor of Wayne Shovelin’s many contributions
to CaroMont Health, including his 23 years as President and CEO. This
annual scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who has excelled
academically, demonstrates strong leadership and community involvement,
and plans to major in a health-related field. The award includes up to
$20,000 annually over four years of academic work and summer internship
opportunities at CaroMont Health.
David Efird is the 2020 recipient of the Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship.
He joins Kyra Rhyne (2019); Victor Ilevbare (2018), and Maren East (2017),
as current recipients of this award.
The Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarship Fund
The scholarship was established by the Gaston Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
in 1971. Mrs. Gertrude Clinton served as Gaston County Social Services
Director, Personnel Director for CaroMont Health, and was a founding member
and President of the CaroMont Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Following
Mrs. Clinton’s death, the scholarship fund was renamed in her memory.
Recipients of the Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarship awards are:
Casey Almond, Karen Bolick, Melissa Bowen, Chasiti Brewer, Drew Brightman,
Jordan Capps, Lauren Grace Carter, Rebecca Clopp, Alicia Conard, Abbey
Horne, Donald Howard, Lori Kistler, Sarah Lail, Sanai Lipscomb, Rikki
Love, Kaley Mills, Bobby Mitchell, Andrea Moore, Stacey Moore, Charlene
N’Diaye, Alyssa Newton, Prius Patel, Cesar Perez, Jake Quinn, Dillon
Rhew, Malorie Rhew, Natalie Sneed, Logan Thomas, Jonathan Williams, and
Crissie Wilson